By Edwin Rollon
Championships, medals, and records often measure success in sports. For Dr. Norman Afable, however, true success lies in helping the next generation of Filipino athletes reach their full potential.
Today, Dr. Afable is a respected physician, educator, and advocate for athlete development. But long before he earned his medical degree, his story began with hardship, perseverance, and an unwavering dream.
Growing up in Marikina, Dr. Afable learned the value of hard work at an early age. His father worked as a janitor at the post office, while young Norman spent much of his childhood around the local market and later sold cigarettes in Cubao to earn extra income.
One memory remains vivid in his mind. He would often stand outside the Araneta Coliseum whenever major sporting events were being held, especially PBA, UAAP, and NCAA games. Watching the athletes enter the country's most famous arena, he dreamed that one day he would be among them.
That dream eventually became reality.
Standing 6-foot-4 by the age of 14, Afable quickly made a name for himself in basketball. He competed in the STRAA Regional Meet twice and earned recognition as a Most Promising Player. He later became a member of the Marikina Selection Team with the guidance of Manager Tony Boy "Bolok" Santos and Coach Butch Orosc.
His basketball career continued to flourish as he represented Rizal in the Philippine National Games under the support of then-Governor Casimiro "Tito" Ynares. At just 17 years old, he achieved a lifelong goal when he joined the Jose Rizal College Heavy Bombers and played in the NCAA at the Araneta Coliseum—the same venue he once admired from outside its gates.
Afable also played for the Central Colleges Bobcats and became part of back-to-back championship teams in the Philippine Youth Basketball League, a prestigious tournament then headed by commissioner and sports broadcaster Chino Trinidad.
After his collegiate years, he continued his basketball career in various commercial and provincial leagues. He suited up for teams such as Spring Cooking Oil, CHOPAT RX, Champion Ball Club-Wangs Team, and several others. His reputation as a talented big man also brought opportunities to play as a reinforcement in provinces including Mindoro, Batangas, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cebu, General Santos, and Cagayan.
His basketball journey eventually extended beyond Philippine shores. The Brunei International League and the Malaysian Open Invitational invited him to compete. There, he played alongside some of the country's respected basketball figures for nearly three years, including Jun Dural, Bal Villaflor, Bobby Parks, Ricky Ricafuente, Sonny Levita, and coach Mike Buendia.
Yet at the height of his athletic career, Afable made a life-changing decision.
At 24 years old, he stepped away from competitive basketball to focus on his education. Determined to build a future beyond the court, he pursued higher studies and eventually became a medical doctor.
Today, Dr. Afable's impact on Philippine sports extends far beyond his own playing accomplishments.
While managing responsibilities in the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare sector, and higher education as a professor teaching master's and doctoral students, he remains deeply committed to helping Filipino athletes achieve excellence.
His mission centers on providing athletes with proper nutrition, scientifically guided supplementation, health education, and performance support—critical factors that are often overlooked in athletic development.
Dr. Afable actively mentors and supports athletes in basketball, cycling, and running. Among those benefiting from his guidance are elite competitors and national-level performers, including Philippine cycling record holder Zedric Ivan Honorica, whose training and wellness programs he continues to support.
For Afable, developing champions requires more than talent and determination. Athletes must also have access to the right medical guidance, nutritional support, and resources that allow them to compete at the highest level.
His vision is clear: to help Filipino athletes become stronger, healthier, and more competitive on the international stage, ultimately contributing to the country's quest for more medals in major regional and continental competitions.
From a young boy selling cigarettes outside the Araneta Coliseum to a physician dedicated to nurturing future champions, Dr. Norman Afable's journey is a testament to perseverance, sacrifice, and service.
Today, his greatest victories are no longer measured by points scored or championships won. Instead, the success stories of the athletes he helps develop reflect them—young Filipinos who, with the right support and guidance, may one day bring honor and glory to the nation.
Through his work, Dr. Afable continues to build a legacy that extends beyond sports: empowering dreams, transforming lives, and helping shape the future of Philippine sports.
